Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Improved LiDAR Scanner

Sony will replace Lumentum and WIN Semi as the exclusive supplier of LiDAR Scanner components for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to the latest information shared by reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone 14 Pro Rear Camera
In a series of tweets today, Kuo said Sony's time-of-flight VCSEL has lower power consumption than those from Apple's existing suppliers. This would result in the LiDAR Scanner being more power efficient on the iPhone 15 Pro models, which Kuo said could either contribute to longer battery life or allow for the LiDAR Scanner to offer improved performance at the same level of power consumption as on existing iPhones.

Kuo said the improved LiDAR Scanner could benefit camera features, like Night mode and autofocus, as well as augmented reality uses. First introduced on iPhone 12 Pro models in 2020, the LiDAR Scanner can measure light distance and capture depth information, and the hardware is expected to remain exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
39 months ago
I think people underestimate the role LiDAR plays on image quality. Being able to sense the distance of objects allows the camera to focus more accurately.

The measure app is also surprisingly accurate.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
windywalks Avatar
39 months ago
The benefits of LiDAR on iPhone and iPad so far have been totally lost on me. The only real reason for the wide rollout for me has been a wider test for upcoming AR product lines and not much else.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
39 months ago
Yah seems to be unless a dialog is shown on the screen saying "I AM USING LIDAR RIGHT NOW OK????????" some people think its not being used.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svenning Avatar
39 months ago

Can someone explain what the LIDAR scanner actually does to me, like I'm 5?
Had chatgpt do it for you :)
TLDR Version:
A LiDAR scanner is a tool that uses lasers to make a picture of things far away by bouncing the lasers off of them and measuring how long it takes for them to come back. Scientists and engineers use it to learn more about the world around us.

Long version:
Hello there! Do you like playing with toys that go "beep" and "boop"? Well, a LiDAR scanner is kind of like a toy that helps us see things far away!

A LiDAR scanner is a special device that sends out a bunch of little laser beams (kind of like tiny flashlights) and they bounce off of things like trees, buildings, and even people.
When the laser beams bounce back to the LiDAR scanner, it measures how long it took for the beam to go out and come back. That's called "time of flight" - like how long it takes you to run to one end of a room and then back to where you started.

The LiDAR scanner then uses all of that information to create a really detailed 3D picture of everything it can "see" with its laser beams. It's kind of like taking a really fancy picture, but instead of using a camera, we're using lasers!

Scientists and engineers use LiDAR scanners to study all sorts of things like mapping the terrain of the Earth or measuring how much ice is melting in the Arctic. So, you can think of a LiDAR scanner as a really cool tool that helps us learn more about the world around us!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
doolar Avatar
39 months ago

The benefits of LiDAR on iPhone and iPad so far have been totally lost on me. The only real reason for the wide rollout for me has been a wider test for upcoming AR product lines and not much else.
I do 3D scanning with the Matterport software , the results are way better with LiDAR, I really don’t need the proprietary Matterport camera that often after the LiDAR in the iPhone came along. I realise that my use case isn’t everyone’s. ?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
enterthemerdaverse Avatar
39 months ago
Kuo ‘The next device will be more Kuo than last’s years Kuo’
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)